Find out How much does it cost to charge Tesla cars
Tesla cars are the most technologically advanced electric cars manufactured by the Tesla Company. This company specializes in producing high-quality and luxurious all-electric cars.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk says, “Tesla is here to stay and keep fighting for the electric car revolution.”
The majority of vehicle manufacturers around the world are slowly moving towards the production of electric vehicles due to the increasing demand. Most of the countries in the European Union (EU) have declared to completely ban fossil fuel or gas cars by the year 2040.
So, electric cars are expected to be the future of the automotive industry. The use of electric vehicles is slowly taking pace as people have started purchasing and testing available EVs across the globe. Big companies including Mercedes, BMW, Audi, etc. have also introduced efficient electric cars.
Though electric cars are becoming a favourite among auto enthusiasts, there are some negative impressions. People have range anxiety, reliability & performance issues, the future of EVs and much more. Among these negativities, the most important one is the battery technology used in electric cars.
EV owners or possible buyers always question the reliability, sustainability and performance of the batteries used in the EVs. Today, we are going to explore Tesla electric cars and their battery technology along with charging cost, estimated charging time, power consumed, Tesla charging station and much more.
Without further ado, let’s get started.
About Tesla Cars
Tesla is the biggest game changer in the electric vehicle industry. It is an American multinational automotive and clean energy company based in Austin, Texas. Tesla specializes in producing electric vehicles including cars and trucks. Elon musk is the current CEO of the Tesla Company.
Tesla Electric cars available on the market
- Tesla Model S
- Tesla Model X
- Tesla Model 3
- Tesla Model Y
Upcoming products include Tesla Roadster, Tesla Semi and Tesla Cybertruck.
With this basic introduction, let’s get back to our top ‘How much does it cost to charge Tesla Cars?”
How much does it cost to charge Tesla?
Tesla produces all-electric cars that are built with reliable materials and highly-efficient battery technology. Different models feature distinctive batteries so, the cost to charge those batteries and the time taken for full charging may vary.
Besides, Tesla customers can charge their Tesla EVs at home, at charging stations or anywhere the charging facility is available.
How many miles can a Tesla go?
There are currently four Tesla electric cars available on the market which are Tesla Model S, Model 3, Model X and Model Y. The range, performance and overall design of these models are different as illustrated in the table below.
| TESLA MODEL | RANGE (EPA ESTIMATED) |
| Model S | 396 miles (637 kilometres) |
| Model 3 | 358 miles (576 kilometres) |
| Model X | 333 miles (536 kilometres) |
| Model Y | 330 miles (531 kilometres) |
Among 4 amazing all-electric Tesla cars, Model S is expected to offer more range followed by Model 3, Model X and Model Y. The ranges shown in the table are EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) estimated ranges.
Also, there are various sub-models of the 4 main models due to which the estimated range and performance may differ.
| TESLA MODEL | SUB-MODELS |
| Model S | Model S Model S Plaid |
| Model 3 | Real-Wheel Drive (RWD) Model 3 Longest Range Model 3 Performance |
| Model X | Model X Model X Plaid |
| Model Y | Model Y Performance Model Y Long Range |
Now, let’s move ahead to explore the cost of charging your Tesla cars at different locations.
How much does it cost to charge Tesla at Home?
For home charging options, Tesla offers Wall Connector, NEMA 14-50 Connector and a Mobile Connector with a 120 V Adapter. The installation cost, hardware cost and operational cost depend upon the vehicle you choose.
For instance, if you purchase the Tesla Model 3 Long Range version, the costs come as shown in the table below.
| CONNECTION | COST | ESTIMATED INSTALLATION PRICE |
| Wall Connector | $400 | $750-$1,500 |
| NEMA 14-50 | $45 | $750-$1,500 |
| Mobile Connector (120 V Adapter) | $200 | N/A |
Tesla highly recommends the Wall Connector Hardware because it offers an efficient and convenient home charging solution. Customers can plug their Tesla EVs and charge overnight.
Wall Connector is compatible with all models (Model S, Model 3, Model X and Model Y) and can deliver up to 44 miles of range per hour of charge. Talking about the output, it is 11.5 kW per 48 amp output.
As per the charging cost is concerned, it would cost anywhere between $3 and $4 to fully charge your Tesla EV overnight using the home charger. This cost estimation might change depending on the electricity rates in different provinces across the United States.
| TESLA MODEL | DAILY CHARGING COST | MONTHLY CHARGING COST | GAS SAVINGS |
| Model S | $6.20 (160 miles driven daily) | $188.71 (160 miles driven monthly) | $22.89 daily $696.77 monthly |
| Model 3 | $5.53 (160 miles driven daily) | $168.32 (160 miles driven monthly) | $16.77 daily $510.55 daily |
| Model X | $7.30 (160 miles driven daily) | $222.19 (160 miles driven monthly) | $23.11 daily $703.54 monthly |
| Model Y | $6.20 (160 miles driven daily) | $188.71 (160 miles driven monthly) | $20.56 daily $625.93 monthly |
You can use Tesla Charging Calculator to calculate charging costs and savings.
How much does it cost to install a Tesla Charger?
Tesla customers can install a Tesla Charging system in their home by purchasing hardware and paying installation costs. They need to first find an electrician and request a quote for installing a home charger station. After finalising the quote, they can order the required charging equipment and schedule installation.
The cost of hardware and installation is shown in the table below.
| CONNECTION | COST | ESTIMATED INSTALLATION PRICE | TOTAL INSTALLATION COST |
| Wall Connector | $400 | $750-$1,500 | $1,150-$1,900 |
| NEMA 14-50 | $45 | $750-$1,500 | $795-$1,545 |
| Mobile Connector (120 V Adapter) | $200 | N/A | $200 |
How much does it cost to charge Tesla at Charging Station?
Tesla offers Destination Charging Stations and supercharges are various locations across the United States, Mexico and Puerto Rico. There are more than 35,000 Wall Connectors located at Destination Charging Stations in both city and rural areas.
You can find Tesla Destination Charging stations at popular hotels, restaurants and resorts. Before travelling, you can find destination charging stations by visiting the official website of Tesla. Besides, you can also find a charging location from the touchscreen.
Tesla offers free charging for customers arriving at hotels, restaurants or resorts equipped with Tesla Charging facility. Customers not staying or taking service from hotels, restaurants or resorts need to pay applicable charges based on the electricity fees of the location.
How much does it cost to charge Tesla at Supercharger?
There are more than 35,000 global Superchargers installed by Tesla across popular travel routes. These highly-efficient and fast chargers are located near restaurants, shops, restrooms and Wi-Fi hotspots.
You don’t need to worry while travelling long distances because the Tesla Supercharger quickly charges your Tesla. The charging speed for various models is illustrated in the table below.
| TESLA MODEL | SUPERCHARGER CHARGING SPEED |
| Model S | Up to 200 miles in 15 minutes |
| Model 3 | Up to 174 miles in 15 minutes |
| Model X | Up to 175 miles in 15 minutes |
| Model Y | Up to 162 miles in 15 minutes |
The cost of charging your Telsa EV at Supercharger is displayed on the selected pin’s pop-up on the touchscreen. The final charging fee is indicated on the touchscreen after the charging session is completed.
As per Tesla, the prices may fluctuate from time to time and the indicated prices on the touchscreen include applicable taxes and fees. You will also find on-peak and off-peak rates on some Supercharger stations.
Customers are normally billed per kWh (kilowatt-hour) in the Supercharger stations however, some stations might charge on a per-minute basis. The payment processing is automatically calculated from the payment method in the Tesla Account.
Idle fee for using the Tesla Supercharger Stations
| COUNTRY | IDLE FEE (per minute) | IDLE FEE (per minute) when the station is fully occupied |
| United States | $0.50 | $1.00 |
| Canada | $0.50 | $1.00 |
| United Kingdom | £0.50 | £1.00 |
| Switzerland | CHF 0.50 | CHF 1.00 |
| South Korea | ₩500 | ₩1,000 |
| New Zealand | $1.00 | $2.00 |
Click here to know Supercharger Idle pricing for all available countries
How many kilowatts does it take to charge a Tesla?
The maximum rate of charging ranges from 7.2 kilowatts to 11.5 kilowatts depending on the Tesla Model and charging hardware.
For instance, the highly recommended Wall Connector for the Home charging options can deliver a power output of up to 11.5 kilowatts. The maximum current output is 48 amperes whereas the voltage is 200-240 V AC.
Tesla Supercharger Stations can offer a maximum charging rate of 250 kilowatts which is 25% faster with battery reconditioning. With that, you will get up to 200 miles range in just 15 minutes of superfast charging.
Conclusion
We have come to the end of this article where we discovered the cost of charging a Tesla all-electric car. In comparison to gas cars, electric cars offer more savings.
Let’s conclude with some key points listed below.
- Tesla currently offers four EVs: Model S, Model 3, Model X and Model Y.
- Customers can charge their Tesla car at home, at destination charging stations or at supercharger stations.
- Home Charging Stations require charging hardware and installation cost.
- There are more than 35,000 Supercharger Stations and Destination Charging Stations at various locations across the globe.
- The cost of charging a Tesla car depends upon the model, electricity fares and charging stations used.
How much does it cost to charge Tesla Cars? (FAQs)
Is it free to charge a Tesla at a Charging station?
You can charge your Tesla for free at Destination Charging stations available at restaurants, hotels and resorts if you are a part (or customer) of these businesses. Otherwise, charges are applicable.
How much will my electric bill go up with a Tesla?
For instance, if you drive your Tesla Model S daily for 160 miles, the total charging cost is $6.20 and your daily Gas Saving is $22.89.
Should I charge my Tesla every night?
It is best if you charge your Tesla every night as it keeps you charged for your next day’s drive.
How long does it take to charge a Tesla?
With AC home charging, it may take 8 to 12 hours to fully charge the Tesla Car. The Supercharger station takes just 15 to 25 minutes for providing a range of 200 miles.
